SLOW down - that's the message from Walton residents who are fighting for reduced speed limits in the village.

With the support of Walton Parish Council, residents are battling to axe the national speed limit currently in existence and put safety in the driving seat.

But, after a two-year campaign, villagers claim little progress has been made - until now.

A 40-strong petition and 34 letters were sent to borough council chiefs in 2003 lobbying for a reduction in vehicle speed on Walton Lea Road, Hough's Lane, Park Lane and Warrington Road.

A residents' group calling for action says these roads have become a 'rat run' for drivers travelling from Stockton Heath and Stretton with many minor accidents not reported to police.

Further concerns are for the 10,000 people who visit Walton Hall Gardens each year and those using cycle lanes recently introduced on Chester Road.

Sharon Harris, who lives on one of the roads concerned, said: "Surely the council has a duty to care for health and safety in the area.

"Why is it prepared to put lives at risk from motorists driving at excessive speed, without consideration for other road users?"

Phil Johnson, assistant director of transportation and environmental design at the borough council, said: "Following a series of meetings between Walton Parish Council, residents, Cheshire Constabulary and representatives from Warrington Borough Council, agreement has been reached to develop a village-wide speed reduction scheme."

Earlier this year a proposal from the borough council raising the idea was displayed in the village, which generated a single objection.

Despite discussions with the objector, the issue still stands.

The council's traffic committee will now meet on July 22 from 6.30pm at the Town Hall to decide whether or not the proposals should go ahead.